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Our 2021 Holiday Cookie Box…along with some tips and tricks to help you create the perfect cookie box at home! This year’s box is filled to the top with all of our most favorite Christmas cookies and bars. Some new…and some of our old favorites. There’s everything from classics…like snickerdoodles and gingery brown sugar molasses cookies. To Christmas monster cookies and the cutest little tree light cookies, plus a handful more. We’re packing up only the very BEST cookies and sweets this holiday season. There’s no better gift than a box full of homemade cookies, they are always enjoyed!
After a lot of requests, this year’s 2021 Holiday Cookie Box is finally here! I can’t believe the amount of people who’ve messaged me regarding this year’s box. I’m a little late (what’s new, we seem to always be late on things over here). But it’s so nice to see the excitement around these boxes. I always have a lot fun putting these together. It’s by far my favorite “tradition” I get to share with you guys every December. But man they do take some time to create. I think I spent two full days baking and photographing this box, I really wanted it to be just right! You guys make it worth though, and as I said above, they really do make the best gifts!
I’ve loved all my previous holiday cookie boxes (see my boxes from 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), but I wanted to make this one even more special.
What’s exciting is that this year we are back to celebrating with family and friends. Which means that many of us are traveling this season. Thankfully, cookie boxes are the perfect gift to bring along, whether you have a long or short journey. Showing up empty handed to any gathering is never ideal, but showing up with a cookie box?
Well, there’s really not a better gift.
And of course, if you still aren’t able to see friends and family this holiday season, ship them a cookie box. Or drop a box off at their doorstep. It’s the sweetest way to let them know you’re thinking of them.
This year’s box is in keeping with my “easy cookies” theme of the month. At the end of November, I said that I wouldn’t be sharing any tricky or overly decorated cookies. Because when it comes to holiday baking – easy and fun is 100% the way to go!
So, this year I made all my favorite, easy, but oh so delicious cookies. I’ve learned a few tips and tricks over the years, so I’m sharing all the details below!
When choosing your cookies, be sure to pick cookies, and or other desserts, that will hold up well in shipping. I like to choose cookies that are of different shapes and sizes. I find it’s nice to have a little variety in the box. Normally I’ll bake anywhere from four to eight different cookies and then divide them between boxes. This year I did eight different cookies and made a nice size box.
With that said, my box is large. Many of you will most likely be using smaller boxes. If that’s the case, just go with four to six of your favorite cookies.
All the cookies used in my 2021 Holiday Cookie Box:
Brown Sugar Maple Ginger Cookies (i let the glaze dry, then add to the box, but you can leave the glaze off too)
Easy Vanilla Bean Christmas Lights Cookies (tip, add 2 teaspoons meringue powder to the icing to help it harden and be better for packaging)
Salted Caramel Pretzel Snickerdoodles
Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Blondies (oldie but goodie HBH recipe)
Slice n’ Bake Salted Chocolate Butter Pecan Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies
Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies
The box you use to package your cookies is very important, especially if you’re shipping cookies overnight. You’ll want to choose a sturdy box that can handle shipping. I love using a heavy-duty cardboard box, think something like a nice hatbox. Then I like to add cardboard ornament dividers. Or simply make your own using cardboard from old Amazon packages, which is what I did for this year’s box. Dividers keep each cookie separate from one other. If you have a wooden box and are just gifting to someone close to home, that is great too!
If you’re looking to order a box, I found this cute Christmas box set which comes with cute paper, ribbon, and tags. There’s also this box with an ornament design. Or if you’re looking for a simpler design, these are nice too, but a little smaller.
Lastly, these cookie boxes with a gingerbread house design are adorable too. I recommend smaller treats for this box though!
Either of these boxes are the perfect size for gifting and will fit four to six different cookies. These boxes are great for dropping off to neighbors and gifting to family and friends in town. If you plan to ship your box, I’d recommend putting the cookie box inside a sturdier box. Be sure to use bubble wrap or packing paper to secure the box. This will ensure that none of your cookies get banged around during shipping.
Another alternative is to use cookie tins. I love these festive square tins or these more classic round tins.
Or, if you want to ship just one cookie, give this cookie box a try. It would be perfect for a batch of Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies.
Tip: place bubble wrap in the bottom of your box. Then line the box with a very large piece of plastic wrap (use multiple layers if needed). Be sure to use a piece that is large enough to wrap overtop of the cookies when the box is full. This keeps the cookies safe and fresh.
I try to find festive plastic wrapping, food-safe tissue paper, and/or ribbon to wrap around my cookies. This gives your box that extra special touch.
Tip: I always wrap cookies that I want to stay extra fresh in holiday ziplock storage bags and then add them to the box. If you want to use something a little cuter than storage bags or plastic wrap, try using holiday cellophane bags that can be sealed with ribbon. Or use small holiday cookie tins or boxes, or food containers that will fit inside your box.
As I mentioned above, I like to bake and decorate the cookies in the morning. Then I let them chill and package them up later that afternoon or at night. This way they are all ready to ship in the morning. Have fun and make a day of this with your girlfriends, kids, siblings, really anyone who loves to bake and listen to Christmas music!
Packing up your boxes is probably one of the trickiest steps of sending out holiday cookie boxes. You’ll want to make sure that all the time you spent making cookies wasn’t wasted. First, you should know that these photos are a bit misleading. They do not represent how I would actually ship my box. My goal is to show off the cookies, but here are my best tips for actually packaging up the cookies and shipping out your boxes…
I ship via UPS or Fed-Ex, I’ve found them to be pretty reliable. Ship your cookies via two-day air because it’s important to get your cookies to their recipient as soon as possible. My biggest tip? If possible, avoid the post office. In my experience, that does not end well.
question: What are all of you baking up this holiday season? What are your BEST tips in creating cookie boxes? Share all your tips in comments!
Lastly, if you make any of the cookies from our 2021 Holiday Cookie Box, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Love it! I’ve been waiting for this post! You inspired me to do a cookie box this year with the recipes you posted so far. Where do I buy food-safe tissue paper? This is different than regular gift tissue paper?
Hi Carissa,
If you just google search or look on Amazon there are lots of options for food safe tissue paper. I hope this helps! xTieghan
Wax paper, crafts store baking section will have options to layer cookie boxes
So beautiful, I love the variety. I’ve learned that if you want to keep crispy cookies from getting soft, wrap them in plastic separately! Otherwise they absorb moisture from the rest of the cookies in the box. Also, make things ahead of time and freeze them as much as possible!
Thanks so much Karli!
This is by far the most beautiful box of cookies I have every seen!
Making a box for the first time this year!! Would the hot chocolate lace cookies be good with peppermint extract in the filling? Or would that clash with the flavor?
Hey Amanda,
That might be a fun idea!! Let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
Thank you so very much Michele!!
This is looks nice simple picture cookies box… where can I order cookiescook book ?
Sorry, these cookie boxes are not for sale:)
Kept reading hoping you would say where we can order?? Can we order a box of cookies?! I’m not into this much baking!
Sorry Christine, these boxes are not for sale:) xTieghan
Where do you get your lovable Christmas coffee mugs?
Hi Diana,
Is there a specific mug you are looking for? I get a lot of mine from Anthropologie. xx
Wait…so I have to do the baking? I was scrolling through trying to find a link to buy a box…dang. This is gorgeous though.
Thanks so much!!
Can you ship me a box 🙂 !! So pretty and festive!
The salted caramel pretzel snickerdoodles are my all time favorite cookie personally. This year I made 12 boxes and all 12 people came to me separately saying how that was their favorite cookie in the box. I will never not make it for the holidays. It’s just too dang good!
Thank you so much Kaitlyn, love to hear this!! xx
Thanks so much Amy!! Sorry, I do not ship these:) xTieghan
OMG, just GORGEOUS! What a beautiful gift to receive. Great work!
Thank you so very much Christine! xx
I was ready to buy this box. Looks fabulous! You are crazy talented in the kitchen! Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much Patricia!! xTieghan
All look delicious Tieghan!
Is there a recipe for the cute Santa cookie?
Merry Christmas!
My question too. They all look fabulous but those Santa’s really add to it!
I think it’s the Holly Jolly Cookie recipe
Here it is, Wendy: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/holly-jolly-santa-cookies/
🙂
Hey Wendy,
There sure is, it’s linked above:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/holly-jolly-santa-cookies/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Love your cookie box! I use a wooden box I found that’s a perfect size and very reasonably priced. There even is a bulk price if you buy 8 at a time. The recipient can reuse it when it’s empty! https://www.michaels.com/wooden-photo-box-by-artminds/10385255.html
Thanks so much for sharing Susan, what a great idea!! xTieghan
Curious…. for these boxes from Michael’s, do you paint or decorate/ wrap the outside of the box or leave it unfinished?
Hi there,
You can really do whatever you like:) Remember these are your boxes to make them how you want them. xTieghan
Gorgeous!
When I’ve been given something homemade like this, it’s a double thrill, something delicious to eat; but also that the giver has spent their precious time on making something to give me . ??? Xx
Thanks so much Kelly-Jane! Yes, I totally agree with you! xTieghan
Love your Christmas tree cutouts! Where can I find that cutter? ??❤️?
Hey Katy,
Sorry, I drew the stencil for the tree:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I’d love to buy a cookie box from you!!
I thought this too!
Funny I thought the very same thing I am not a baker??
Hi Monica,
So sorry, I do not sell my cookie boxes:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Tieghan,
Just beautiful! Have a beautiful holiday. When do you start the process of baking them and storing them? Last year my icing melted -stored in a tin, any suggestions?
Thank you!
Hi Joanne,
I would keep your icing in the fridge, you also want to be sure you are choosing cookies that don’t have a super soft icing recipe. I did these all in a span of 2 days. xTieghan
I can’t decide my favorite but, If I have to chose maybe the salted caramel. I adore sweet and salty flavor!!
Miki x
https://www.littletasteofbeauty.com/
Thanks so much!!